Summer Love & Lovin Summer

"Happy Summer". Those 2 words go hand in hand no matter whats going on in my world. 

 I have been enjoying my summer immensely. We haven't gone on vacation or traveled anywhere exotic, but I have enjoyed the slower pace of the day (even at work) and no deadlines when I get home, other than a very hungry pre-teen who greets me at the door with "what's for dinner mom"?

 Just the "there's no school tomorrow so you can stay up late" kind of feeling that makes life just a little more enjoyable for mom, dad and kids.

 As August is just on the horizon, I kinda feel myself looking forward to the cooler days, chilly nights and of course the cooking, baking, nesting, rearranging and decorating for fall that makes me feel so warm inside. I have been like that since I was a young girl, always looking forward to the holidays and making our house warm and cozy.

I enjoyed re-arranging the hearth on the fireplace in our family room. It's where we share dinners from the adjacent kitchen and watch television, talk, laugh and most of all "live".

Happy Summer and thanks for visiting.

Summertime Smiles,

Debbie

What is it?

Found this pretty ceramic piece at the Thrift Store the other day. I don't know what it actually is but........

  I decided I knew what I wanted to make it....................

 I think my little butterfly what-cha-ma-call-it holds my gardening tools perfectly.

What do you think?

Smiles,

Debbie

Family Time On The 4th

Looking forward to spending the day with my little family. Barbecued Chicken, Pasta Salad, Chips & Homemade Salsa and the famous Jello Poke Cake...........

RED, WHITE & BLUE AROUND MY HOME

A little banner I picked up at Walmart last year.

Little blue potted daisies I scored at the Goodwill

My family room mantle in all of its 4th of July-ness.

Love this little vignette I put together.

My little Betsy Ross book looks right at home among my patriotic decor

Just couldn't pass that sweet little book up. My maiden name is Ross......kinda makes it feel like she's family.

My little July angel is keeping things red, white & blue on my green shelf.

Stars & Stripes

Ohhhhh I love this little piece. My husband loves to go out to this old ramshackled "barn" here in town (it's appropriately called "Antiques At The Barn"). Its old and its kinda dirty and things are just set out for sale, nothing is really cleaned up or tidy but we he likes to look through all the old junk. Well a couple of weeks ago he talked me into going out there and I am soooooo glad he did. I found this sweeeeet Betsy Ross spoon storage for $5.00, yes you read it right, $5.00. I was elated. She has made my 4th of July complete.

Shes a little bigger than my Statue of Liberty but both of the girls get along on display nicely.

Happy 4th of July to you and yours................

Debbie

Working In My Yard

I love to work outside, even when the temperatures soar to 100 degrees, I am happy to be outside on my porch, loving my plants. My dad loved to be in his yard tending to his plants, I feel so close to him when I am in my yard. 

God is so good to comfort me with such tender memories of my dad.

When you walk up to our front porch, you are greeted with this ceramic sign. I found it at the Goodwill, I just love it.

The Tiki Fountain was purchased by my husband, it reminds him of his dad. We lost our dads 4 days apart in 2008. 

I popped into Walmart the other day and rescued this "herb garden" from the clearance rack. It was in pretty good shape so I decided to pick it up (at half price I figured I couldn't go wrong). 

 Chives, Basil, Oregano, Parsley........I need to make my husband a nice dinner.

Cute garden stake. It's always worth waiting for Joann's to mark their seasonal stuff down 70%

Sweet little resin birdie perched here.

 Bee Happy............there is so much to be happy about!

Looked for some strawberry plants to put in my little thrift shop pot but no luck. I think these little purple daisies look right at home nonetheless.

 I hope anyone who comes to my front door feels 

W E L C O M E

The birdies are welcome anytime.

Another Thrift Shop Treasure..............aren't these little boots adorable?

Thank you for spending some time with me outside today. 

Sunshine & Smiles from my heart,

Debbie